Oral Histories

History of the Project

The Evanston History Center (EHC) began collecting oral history interviews in 1970. Over the years these interviews have been added to and the collection now numbers almost 500 interviews. Most interviews were recorded on cassette tapes.

In 2015, EHC received a grant from the Illinois State Records Advisory Board (through funding from the National History the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), National Archives and Records Administration) to completely digitize the oral history collection. The taped interviews were transferred to MP3 files, for ease of access, and to WAV files for long-term preservation.

Access to Oral History Files

All of the interviews are now available at the history center. To access the audio files of the interviews you can visit EHC during our research hours, or by appointment with the archivist. If you are not able to visit Evanston, access may be available but restrictions may apply.

A complete list of all of the interviews and other details about the collection can be found by clicking here. For most interviews, transcripts are not available. Where they are available, they are listed.

Join us for a morning celebration of International Women’s Day. Evanston women of all ages are invited to join us for a “Get To Know You” networking event. A light breakfast will be served. This event is free.

“A Life Worthwhile:”Lorraine H. Morton.Film Screening. Thursday, March 21, 2019, 7 p.m. (reception starts at 6:30 p.m.)EHC members are free!Click here to make a reservation.

Educator, Alderman, and Evanston’s first African American Mayor, Lorraine Hairston Morton served the Evanston community for over 50 years, guided by a simple statement her father passed down to her: “only a life of service, is a life worthwhile.” Join us for a screening of A Life Worthwhile, a film which documents and honors Morton’s life, career, and many accomplishments. The film is a production of Shorefront Films. A panel discussion will follow the screening. Presented in partnership with the Evanston Women’s History Project, the Frances Willard House Museum, and Shorefront Legacy Center.

EHC’s Women’s History Month programming is dedicated to Lorraine Morton.